Potential of Mobile Applications in Prevention and Management of Cardio-Metabolic Diseases

Amutha Ramadas* and Quek Kia Fatt

Potential of Mobile Applications in Prevention and Management of Cardio-Metabolic Diseases.

Cardio-metabolic diseases (CMD), primarily cardiovascular diseases and diabetes are the
leading cause of death worldwide. Kruashaar and Krämer proposed that first line of defence
against CMD to be prudent health behaviours, but the current model of disease incidence reduction seems to be ineffective mainly due to lack of individualisation and consumerisation.
Fresh and innovative method of cost-effective strategy aimed at high-risk individuals is necessary to address this issue. New treatment strategies for CMD include moderate physical activity, weight reduction, blood pressure control, and correction of dyslipidaemia and glycaemic
control. Recent researches have started to incorporate mobile technology as one of the modalities in intervention program for people with CMD.

Smartphones typically offer very easy-to-use interfaces and opportunities for the end-user to download new functionality in terms of mobile apps.  In terms of healthcare, smartphone technologies are now used in the diagnosis of diseases, acute and chronic treatment and rehabilitation, and education and training of healthcare practitioners. A recent study by Miller and colleagues, suggested most members of public had favourable perceptions of mobile technology and acknowledge physicians, use of smartphone or personal digital assistant (PDA) in practice.

Mobile technology has since attempted to address few health behaviours towards prevention of chronic diseases. Twenty-six of 59 trials on mobile technologies were focused on modification
of health behaviours. Nutrition, physical activity and tobacco smoking were the health behaviours that have been the focal points in recent years.

There is also a serious lack of evidence-based diabetes risk calculator apps, none of the 9 apps revealed the name or source of the risk. Reviews have also caution the use of dose calculator apps, and future apps design to take clinical input into consideration.

Public Health Open J. 2016; 2(1): 1-10. doi: 10.17140/PHOJ-2-114

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